Port Melbourne replaced on top of the ladder – VFL Wrap Round 16

BigFooty News will be running a quick weekly wrap-up of the Victorian Football League.

The VFL was formed as the VFA in 1877 and was renamed the former in 1995. It took on its current status in 2000, as the reserves league to the Victorian AFL clubs, as well as mantaining its traditional clubs and still creating a pathway for the best local players.

ROUND 16

Collingwood 7.6 (48) defeated by Geelong 11.18 (84)

Victoria Park, 1PM Saturday 14th July

Leading goalkickers: Corey Gault (CM) Jaxson Barham (GC) George Horlin-Smith (GC) Joel Hamling (GC) 2.

The Votes: 3. Troy Selwood (GC), 2. George Horlin-Smith (GC), 1. Mitchell Brown (GC).

Sam says: The result of this match was never in doubt. Geelong are in fourth and Collingwood are 12th on the ladder and with depth problems due to the senior side’s depth problems so it was quite clear what was going to happen. The Cats got on the front foot from the start thanks largely to captain Troy Selwood, who racked up 29 disposals. Former Magpie Jaxson Barham chipped in with two goals and 16 disposals. Tom Young was the best for Collingwood with 32 disposals and one goal. Geelong are looking like a threat come September.

Bendigo 11.8 (74) defeated by Casey 11.11 (77)

Windy Hill, 1:10PM Saturday 14th July

Leading goalkickers: Matt Little (BG) 3, Hal Hunter (BG) Michael Evans (CS) Jack Fitzpatrick (CS) Leigh Williams (CS) Mitchell Gent (CS) 2.

The Votes: 3. Brendan Lee (BG), 2. Jake Spencer (CS), 1. Henry Slattery.

Sam says: What a fantastic match. Once again the match of the round lived up to the hype with the Scorpions kicking five goals to one point in the last term to snatch victory. Casey now sit pretty on top of the ladder but Bendigo won’t be too concerned with the loss, getting close to a top side was encouraging but losing that lead was not. Brendan Lee was best-on-ground with 41 disposals and a goal while Jake Spencer dominated the ruck for the Scorpions with 44 hitouts and also a goal.

Werribee 16.19 (115) defeated Coburg 14.7 (91)

Chirnside Park, 2PM Sunday 15th July

Leading goalkickers: Ben McKinley (WT) 5, Ben Warren (WT) 4, Luke Cartelli (CT) 3, Robbie Castello (WT) Gibson Turner (CT) Todd Elton (CT) Nick Carnell (CT) 2.

The Votes: 3. Ben McKinley (WT), 2. Luke Cartelli (CT), 1. Andrew Browne (CT).

Sam says: It was a tight contest up until three-quarter time when there was only two points in the match, but then Werribee went bang on piled on six goals. Werribee really should have dominated the match from the outset consisdering the distance between the two sides on the ladder, but Coburg put up a real fight with Andrew Browne dominating the ruck with 32 hitouts and Luke Cartelli kicking three goals. However the North Melbourne pairing of Ben Warren and Ben McKinley proved superior, kicking nine goals between them.

Frankston 9.14 (68) defeated by Box Hill 12.10 (82)

Frankston Oval, 2PM Sunday 15th July

Leading goalkickers: Max Bailey (BH) 3, Amos Frank (BH) Will Johnson (BH) 2.

The Votes: 3. Adam Pattison (BH), 2. Thomas Schneider (BH), 1. Lachlan Delahunty (FD).

Sam says: Box Hill won the match quite comfortably, but not as much as they would have liked. They were up by 42 points at three-quarter time before the Dolphins kicked six-goals to two in the final quarter. Adam Pattison was outstanding for the Hawks with 18 disposals, 15 hitouts and a goal while Lachlan Delahunty helped Frankston in their short-lived comeback with 29 disposals, eight hitouts and also one goal. Box Hill are now equal sixth while Frankston remain on the bottom of the ladder.

Sandringham 13.14 (92) defeated by North Ballarat 18.14 (122)

Trevor Barker Beach Oval, 2PM Sunday 15th July

Leading goalkickers: Derrick Micallef (NR) 5, Ben Cunnington (NR) 3, Beau Dowler (SZ) Jack Newnes (SZ) Paul McMahon (NR) Bradley McKenzie (NR) Cam Richardson (NR) 2.

The Votes: 3. Cam Richardson (NR), 2. Myles Sewell (NR), 1. Hamish Shepheard (SZ).

Sam says: The Roosters were down at the half by five points but really stepped up in the third quarter, kicking six goals and then four more in the final quarter. Both sides are in the same position on the ladder, they’re both just in the top eight and this match was predicted to be a tight tussle. Cam Richardson was best on ground with 22 disposals and two goals while Hamish Shepheard had 20 hitouts. Myles Sewell continued his good form with 32 disposals and a goal.

Round summary: It was a fantastic round of matches, where for the first time in a long while Port Melbourne were replaced on top of the ladder by Casey, albeit maybe temporarily because of the Borough playing in the FOXTEL Cup semi-final. North Ballarat proved they still have some good footy left in them from a few years ago while Geelong consolidated themselves as a genuine top four side.

The ladder: